Lighting Your Home for the Way You Live

As the days get shorter, you may start noticing things about your home that were easier to overlook during the brighter summer months. The right lighting can make your home more comfortable, functional, and easier to live in throughout the day.

Think About How You Use Each Room

Every room serves a different purpose, and your home’s lighting should reflect that. Instead of thinking about how many fixtures a room has, think about what you actually do there and whether the lighting supports those activities.

In a kitchen, you may need bright task lighting over counters where you prepare meals, along with general lighting for the rest of the room. In a living room, you may want softer lighting for relaxing, reading, or watching television. A home office needs enough light to work comfortably without creating glare on a computer screen.

Use More Than One Source of Light

Many homes rely heavily on a single overhead fixture. While that may provide general illumination, it does not give the room flexibility. Combining different types of lighting gives you more control over how a space feels and functions at different times of day.

Layered lighting can include:

• Ambient lighting for overall illumination
• Task lighting for activities such as cooking, reading, or working
• Accent lighting to highlight artwork, architectural details, or other areas of the room

Consider Dimmers and Lighting Controls

The amount of light you want at 7 in the morning may be very different from what you want at 8 at night. Lighting controls can be especially useful during the fall and winter when more of your day is spent relying on artificial light.

Dimmer switches allow you to adjust lighting based on the activity, time of day, or atmosphere you want to create. Smart switches, timers, and other lighting controls can provide additional flexibility and make it easier to manage lights throughout your home.

Pay Attention to the Places That Feel Dark

Sometimes the easiest way to identify lighting improvements is simply to notice where you wish you had more light. Everyday frustrations can help you determine where an additional fixture, recessed lighting, under-cabinet lighting, or another lighting solution could make a meaningful difference.

Maybe your kitchen counters are shadowed when you cook. Perhaps the stairs feel too dark at night. You may need better lighting near a desk, inside a closet, in a laundry area, or near the garage entrance.

Don’t Forget Exterior Lighting

Shorter days also mean arriving home, taking out the trash, walking the dog, or heading to the car after dark. Well-placed exterior lighting can improve visibility around your property and make it easier to safely move around outside after dark. Motion sensors, timers, and other controls can also help ensure lights are available when you need them.

Take a look at the lighting around your:

• Front and back doors
• Walkways and stairs
• Driveway
• Garage
• Side yards
• Deck or patio

Lighting Can Be Part of a Larger Home Update

If you are already planning a remodel or updating part of your home, it is a good time to think about lighting before walls are closed and finishes are installed. You may also discover that an older home does not have enough switches, outlets, or circuits to support the way you use the space today.

Consider where furniture will be placed, where you will work or read, how you use your kitchen, and which areas need more flexibility. Planning electrical and lighting needs early can give you more options than trying to add them after a project is complete.

Take a Look Around Your Home This Fall

As daylight hours decrease, pay attention to where your home’s lighting works well and where it does not. A few thoughtful changes can make rooms easier to use, improve visibility, and give you more control over how your home feels throughout the day.

If there are areas of your home you’d like to make brighter or easier to use, Exact Electric can help you find the right solution and handle the installation and electrical updates needed to make it happen. Contact us today to get started.